Gillingham eye up Crystal Palace midfielder David Wright as boss Martin Allen looks to strengthen the League 2 leaders

21 November 2012

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham will step up their hunt for new recruits ahead of the impending transfer deadline.

Manager Martin Allen is chasing several targets, including Crystal Palace midfielder David Wright, as he looks to add at least one new face to his squad before Thursday’s cut-off point.

Wright, pictured, played seven games for the Gills during a loan period earlier this season in a run of fixtures where Allen’s side conceded just three goals in seven games – winning five of those matches.

The defensive midfielder returned to Palace to try and break into their team under new boss Ian Holloway but has so far failed to make an appearance since moving back to Selhurst Park.

“We need to improve and the loan market is available to us,” said Allen.

“We are trying to do things to strengthen our team and we are working on it with Andy Hessenthaler and the chairman and hopefully something can come to fruition in the next few days.”

Allen said on Tuesday night that Wright was one of several players the Gills were targeting.

And he added: “We will have to see how it all unfolds."

One player who is expected to leave is midfielder Jack Payne but Allen insists nobody needs to leave to finance his plans to add to his squad.

“Financially nobody has to go,” said Allen. “Maybe there is a possibility but they all have a part to play and they all know it.”